Special Opportunities

Reynie Muldoon isn’t like the other kids at his orphanage. He reads the newspaper, drinks tea and discusses politics and news stories with his tutor, Miss Perumal. But most of all, Reynie is gifted. That’s why an advertisement in the paper catches his eye: “Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” Reynie will do anything to break free from the orphanage. But first he must pass a test.

The Test

The test is difficult. It requires brains, street smarts, logic and wit. But of the hundreds of test-takers, only Reynie and three other children pass: Sticky Washington, a book-smart runaway; Kate Wetherall, an energetic circus performer who is never without her bucket of seemingly useless objects; and Constance Contraire, the shortest and most stubborn kid that Reynie has ever met. And what do they all have in common? They’re all alone.

The Emergency

The four kids are chosen by the mysterious Mr. Benedict, a friendly and ambitious man whose only downfall is his narcolepsy (a disorder that makes him fall asleep whenever he gets too excited). Mr. Benedict is determined to end the “Emergency”—a worldwide brainwashing! Mr. Benedict knows three important details: first, the culprit is sending subliminal (or hidden) messages through the television. Second, he’s working from an institution on Nomansan Island. And third, he’s using kids to do the dirty work. What Mr. Benedict doesn’t know is how to stop him.

Mr. Curtain

His team of intelligent orphans goes undercover as students at the institute. But the kids soon discover that the man responsible, Mr. Curtain, wants to do more than brainwash people. He wants to erase their memories completely!

The Bottom Line

Brimming with sneaky adventure, this book rolls humor and action into one. You’ll be biting your nails as the kids risk their tails. So make sure you have plenty of time to read because once you start, you won’t want to stop.